Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen came first in the first round of the election this Sunday and will contest France's highest office in the run-off on 7 May. Neither is representing any of the main political parties that have run the country in recent decades.

Macron, a former advisor to outgoing president François Hollande and economy minister in his government, ran as an independent. After topping the polls, he gave a speech in front of French and European flags, referring to the EU on several occasions. He pledged to "revive European integration", insisting that the EU should "protect" its citizens.

His political programme includes agricultural aspects under this heading, with a pledge to push EU law towards more power for producers' organisations in price negotiations with processors and voluntary insurance schemes against price volatility or weather events. He also promised the gradual introduction of a ban on pesticides.

A former investment banker, Macron is seen as widely favourable to free trade agreements, though he has promised to ensure they include sustainability criteria.

Le Pen to exit the euro

Le Pen, by contrast, has said she would exit the euro and organise a referendum on France's participation in the EU. "The objective is to reach a European project that respects the independence of France, national sovereignties and serves the interests of the people," she said.

Her position on EU can be compared to that of former British Prime Minister David Cameron: either the EU will accept to modify European treaties in a way that better suits French interests, or voters will take the country out of the bloc through a referendum.

The far right candidate also wants to "transform the Common Agricultural Policy into a French agricultural policy". Her presidency would see farm payments nationalised and tailored to favour French farmers. Her programme includes a strong animal welfare platform.

Le Pen also advocates a protectionist trade policy and said she would "break up the savage globalisation model and reject free trade agreements such as TTIP and CETA".

Exit polls show that the French electorate split along lines similar to those seen in the UK Brexit referendum, with better off voters who benefit from globalisation broadly choosing Macron while many of Le Pen's voters are disenfranchised.

Russian ban

On one key agricultural export market, Russia, the two candidates have opposite positions. Le Pen favours a rapprochement with Moscow, which could help end the current ban on European products, while Macron is aligned with the existing policy of sanctions against Russia over tensions in Ukraine.

Consistent polls have given Macron a strong lead over Le Pen in a head-to-head run-off. After the French elect their president next month, legislative elections will determine in June whether the country's new leader can rely on a parliamentary majority.

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